Quote Originally Posted by Johntoad57 View Post
You know, I must be messed up in the head, or at least I think I am. However, as I read through all of these posts, I have to ask myself a few basic questions. "Am I satisfied with my razors performance, sharpness, my techniques, my abilities to hone my own razors (instead of relying on someone else), and am I getting a good smooth shave without butchering my face? I can say yes to all of these things.
I use a 1K / 6K set of water stones and a leather strop (Linen and leather) to sharpen my razors and maintain them. I am content!

So here's my question - Why or what else is there to consider? Told you I was messed up.....
I've read that 8K is entry level for a comfortable shaving experience. I've also seen a thread regarding a 1K challenge. Been meaning to try it myself, but the general concensus was you'd be surprised how good a shave you can get off a 1K hone. Seems like it all cycles back to this:

"No amount of money spent on a Stone can ever replace the value of the time it takes learning to use it properly"
Very Respectfully - Glen

To answer your question - I can get a close/clean/comfortable shave off my 8K hone. But the edge off a synthetic feels more crisp, and seems to more readily give razor burn. This can easily be circumvented by adjusting the pressure I shave with, but it is noticeably less forgiving. This could be my imagination (or questionable technique), who knows. Taking it beyond 8k with a good natural somehow takes that crispness off it and softens the shave, making the blade more forgiving while maintaining (or even improving) it's ability to cut through hair.

I've also noticed that the 'bite' is eventually removed with proper stropping. Eventually either way will feel the same, until the edge starts to tug and the blade goes back to the hones. So it isn't to say that one way is better than the other. Just different. And as Cuda said, all up to personal preference.